CAPE TOWN BRANCH
NEWSLETTER NO. 281 - AUGUST 2001

We were privileged to welcome three members from the Cape Town
Muzzle Loading Association to our July Meeting: Dr.John Austin,
Andrew Appleby and John Davies.
They brought with them an astonishing array of weapons and ordinance, dating back to 1800, some of which had seen service, even in the Anglo-Boer War, and each presenter dealt in detail with a particular period.
The earliest muzzle loaders appeared around 1450, with the high
period between 1500 to 1860. It began with the match lock fire-arm,
then came flint and cap lock, and after that breech loading
firearms.
Various muzzle-loading rifles were demonstrated, and we were told
that the descriptive remark: a flash in the pan has its origin
in the missed fire of the weapon. The famous Brown Bess Flintlock
was in use from 1720 to 1830.

Bayonets (their name originates from the town of Bayonne) were
also shown, some absolutely intimidating with a length of almost
three feet, others shorter. They were not so much used against
infantry but against horses, with the kneeling front rank of the
square grounding the butt on the earth and pointing the rifle
with bayonet up and forward at an angle.

Later on rifling was introduced, with the famous Baker rifle
produced in large numbers, and a new ignition system added. In 1825
hand-made percussion caps came into use, and in 1853 arrived the
Lee Enfield rifle. During the Crimean war rifles were used with
great success, and were the deciding factor in defeating the
Russians with their smooth-bore firearms.
After the Enfield rifle came the first British military breech
loader. This was produced by converting the muzzle loading Enfield
rifle into a breech loader by adding the Snider patented
breech mechanism.

The Indian Mutiny was also discussed. It broke out because the
Sepoys refused to handle cartridges supplied because these had
been greased with pig's fat.
The paper Snider cartridge was replaced by a coiled sheet brass
cartridge. The next development was the move towards a smaller
bore breech loading rifle in the form of the Martini Henry, which
had a .577/450 calibre cartridge. It had its finest hour at the
Battle of Rourke's Drift.

New developments then took place, like the invention of smokeless
powder, introduction of smaller calibres, single shot rifles and
repeating rifles.
It was an expert presentation by our guests, but even better was
the fact that afterwards we were allowed to inspect the weapons
and ordinance.

It was a lively evening, including real "flash" and puff from one
of the rifles, and our thanks to the team who, as is customary,

FORTHCOMING LECTURES:

PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR AUGUST MEETING WILL FALL ON THE 3RD THURSDAY

16 Aug 2001

Medal Evening

arranged by Dr. David Grant from the Cape Town Medal Group

13 Sept 2001

STALINGRAD: The Persistent Enigma

Illustrated Talk by John Mahncke

11 Oct 2001

THE ISANDLWANA MASSACRE AND THE VICTORY AT
RORKE'S DRIFT.

Illustrated Talk by Stan Lambrick.

8 Nov 2001

THE BISMARCK ENGAGEMENT

Illustrated Talk by Bob Buser

December 2001

IN RECESS

BOOK CORNER:
CAMOUFLAGE IN THE WESTERN DESERT 1941/2, by fellow member Connor
Johnston, can be borrowed from the Scribe.

THE SA NAVY PATROL CORVETTE, an article written by fellow member,
Major Helmoed-Romer Heitman (Jane's Navy International May 2000)
can be obtained from the Scribe who has a few copies available.

Meetings are normally held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at
20h00 at the Recreation Hall of the SA LEGION'S ROSEDAL COMPLEX
Lower Nursery Road, (off Alma Road) Rosebank, opposite Rosebank
Railway Station, below the line.
Visitors are welcome. Tea and Biscuits will be served.

Jochen (John) Mahncke (Vice-Chairman/Scribe) (021) 797 5167

LATE NEWS:

It is with great regret that we announce the death of our
Honorary Life Member Paul Lange who passed away after a long,
debilitating illness. Paul was one of the founder members of
our Branch together with the late Dr. Ken Gunn, Cdr Mac Bissett
and Woodie Nel, and acted in various positions from Chairman
to Secretary until his enforced retirement due to ill health a
few years ago.
However, he still maintained a keen interest in the affairs of
our Branch, albeit with failing strength. He told us once that
"getting the Society off the ground" was often laborious, and
that he sometimes had to pay for expenses from his own pocket.
But he had the immense satisfaction of seeing the Society grow
over 25 years to its present position and standing, and for
this he was very grateful and proud.
Our Branch will sorely miss his dedication, and we will always
remember him.
Derek O'Riley - Chairman